South Dakota, Iowa Among Most Dangerous States for Truck Drivers

The life of a truck driver can be a very lonely one, but it can also be a very dangerous one.

According to research from transportation services company Simplex, the latest data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows nearly 5,000 fatalities on U.S. roads involving large trucks in 2020.

Roads in Iowa and South Dakota were among the deadliest in America.

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Iowa is the fourth most dangerous state for large truck drivers, with 14.35% of total life-endangering crashes involving large trucks. The study showed 67 out of 467 vehicles associated with a life-threatening crash were large trucks.

South Dakota is the sixth most dangerous state for large truck drivers, with 12.57% of total life-endangering crashes involving large trucks. The study showed 24 out of 191 vehicles associated with a life-threatening crash were large trucks.

Wyoming tops the list, with 33 of the state’s 174 fatal vehicle crashes involving large trucks. This equates to 18.97% of the state's total crashes involving large trucks.

All of the top ten states have some things in common: lots of wide open spaces, with some of the highest speed limits in the nation.

MOST DANGEROUS STATES FOR TRUCK DRIVERS
(percentage of fatal crashes involving large trucks)

Wyoming: 18.97%
Idaho:16.33%
Nebraska: 15.92%
Iowa: 14.35%
North Dakota: 13.24%
South Dakota: 12.57%
Alaska: 12.50%
Kansas: 11.94%
Indiana: 11.80%
Texas: 11.39%

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